Recipe Overview
Why you’ll love it: Seasoned oyster crackers are the perfect crispy/crunchy snack to set out at your next party. You won’t be able to stop snacking on them. So good with a cold beverage!
How long it takes: 30 minutes
Equipment you’ll need: saucepan, sheet pan
Servings: 8 (makes 4 cups total)
Butter + Garlic + Crackers
You know those foods that you just can’t stop eating? You keep going back for one more…and then one more…
That’s exactly what happens with these seasoned oyster crackers. They’re buttery, garlicky, herby, and just salty enough to make it impossible to stop grabbing “one more handful.” I usually make them for soup or chili night, or when I’m entertaining, but somehow they end up being the snack everyone hovers around instead.
(I advise making more than you think you’ll need because they will disappear very quickly!)
What makes them special:
- Low effort, high reward: A handful of pantry ingredients melts together into a savory coating that transforms humble, inexpensive oyster crackers into a crowd-pleasing snack or crunchy topper for soups and salads.
- Take soup, chili, and salads up a notch: These fancified oyster crackers add a delicious flourish to a steaming bowl of beef chili with beans, chicken noodle soup, or homemade vegetable soup. Seasoned oyster crackers are a nice alternative to croutons!
- Perfect party snack: Oyster crackers have serious snacking potential as well. Jazzed-up oyster crackers are a perfect party treat for guests to munch on while they sip a beer or a cocktail.
“Good grief, I should have never made these! I’m on my second batch in two days after my friends demolished the first one in about 10 minutes. Delicious little snack crackers!”
Ingredient Notes
- Butter and olive oil: The combination of butter and olive oil adds a little more richness to the flavor of the crackers and they help the seasonings stick.
- Seasonings: The flavor of the crackers is amped up with pantry ingredients like garlic powder, dried oregano, and cracked black pepper. I also add freshly minced parsley, but if you don’t have fresh parsley, dried parsley is perfectly acceptable.
- Oyster crackers: This recipe uses a whole bag, so you won’t have a partial bag leftover.
- Parmesan or Romano cheese: Melts slightly in the oven, adding a salty, savory, slightly nutty flavor that makes these seasoned oyster crackers impossible to stop eating.
Recipe Tip
Use a rimmed baking pan. I like to use a sheet pan, about 13 x 18 inches. The rim will keep the crackers from sliding off the pan which makes stirring so much easier!
How to Make Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Make the seasoning mixture. Add the butter, oil, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper to a small saucepan set over medium-low heat. Gently warm the mixture until the butter melts. (If you prefer, this can be done using your microwave oven instead.)
Season the crackers. In a big bowl, lightly toss the parsley with the crackers, then pour in the seasoning mixture, and toss to coat.
Make them cheesy. Spread the seasoned oyster crackers on a sheet pan. Sprinkle with cheese and toss gently to combine. Spread the crackers into an even single layer again.
Bake. Place the pan in a 250ºF oven and bake for 15 minutes; stir, spread in an even layer, and bake again for 10 minutes, or until the oyster crackers are golden brown.
Cool. Let the crackers cool, then store in an airtight container. (Storing the crackers before they cool will make them soggy!)
Recipe Variations
- Make them spicy. Add cayenne pepper for a kick. Remember, a little goes a long ways! I would start with ¼ teaspoon, and increase to taste.
- Try ranch seasoned oyster crackers. Swap the seasoning mixture for my homemade ranch seasoning. These are so good with crockpot white chicken chili!
- Make Cajun oyster crackers. Use my Cajun seasoning in place of the garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, and parsley.
Serving Suggestions
As a snack. Serve crunchy seasoned oyster crackers as a party or game day snack with other crowd-pleasing apps like bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, sweet and spicy candied bourbon pecans, or slow cooker spinach artichoke dip.
A tasty chili topper. Use your seasoned oyster crackers as the ultimate chili topper! Try them with beef chili, slow cooker Texas chili, Instant Pot white chicken chili, or vegetarian chili.
Instead of croutons. Float a handful of these extra crispy oyster crackers on smoky roasted tomato soup, Instant Pot cauliflower potato soup, or white bean soup. Try them on your favorite salads for a little extra wow!
Once the seasoned oyster crackers have completely cooled, store them in an airtight container in a cool dry location for up to 3 days.
More Snack Recipes
Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup finely minced fresh parsley (or 2 tablespoons dried parsley)
- 1 bag (9 ounces) oyster crackers (4 heaping cups)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250℉.
- In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine butter, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. Heat until butter is melted. If you prefer, the mixture can be heated in the microwave, using a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring each time.½ cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine parsley and oyster crackers. Pour melted butter mixture over crackers and parsley. Toss to combine until crackers are fully coated with butter.⅓ cup finely minced fresh parsley, 1 bag (9 ounces) oyster crackers
- Spread on a rimmed sheet pan (about 9×13-inches), sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and toss gently to combine. Spread the crackers out so they are in a single layer.½ cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- Bake for 15 minutes, stir gently (return back to a single layer) and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve immediately or cool completely before storing.
Notes
- Serving suggestions: Serve crunchy oyster crackers as a snack, party appetizer, salad, soup, or chili topper. They make a great substitute for croutons.
- Storage: Seasoned oyster crackers taste best eaten immediately but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Make sure they are completely cool before covering them.
- Variations: Add cayenne pepper for a kick. Start with ¼ teaspoon, and increase to taste. Swap the seasoning mixture for my homemade ranch seasoning or Cajun seasoning.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?Share a comment and rating below! I love hearing what you think!
Where is the best place to find this type of cheese? Want to make this week…
Hi Gretchen,
You’ll be able to find this cheese at any grocery store. If you cannot, Parmesan cheese will also work great! I hope you love these!
I made these as bar snacks and they were all gone in less than 2 hours !! Also had a secret stash at home but the secret got out and they were gone. I just added 1 tbsp of kosher salt. Delicious !!
That makes me so happy! I’m glad they were a hit! Thanks for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
These turned out really amazing! They are super yummy and easy to make!
Thanks Rachel for the recipe!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for taking the time to come back and leave a comment!
I want to make this oyster cracker recipe but you do not list the ingredient amounts?? Are there any or is this something we just wing it with? Please send me the recipe with ingredient amounts if there is one.
Love your recipes and site! Keep up the good work..
Merilee in St. Pete
The recipe is there, I’m not sure why it’s not showing up for you? I’ll copy it here for your reference:
1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, Melted
3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon Cracked Black Pepper
1/3 cup Fresh Parsley, Finely minced
4 cups Oyster Crackers, Heaping (9 ounce bag)
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano Cheese, Grated
Directions
Preheat oven to 250°F.
In a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat, combine butter, olive oil, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper. Heat until butter is melted.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine parsley and oyster crackers. Pour melted butter mixture over crackers and parsley. Toss to combine until crackers are fully coated with butter.
Spread on a rimmed sheet pan, sprinkle with Romano cheese and toss gently to combine. Spread them out so they are in a single layer.
Bake for 15 minutes, stir gently (return back to a single layer) and bake for 10 more minutes or until golden brown.
Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container (but they taste best fresh!).
oh, that sounds good. I haven’t had oyster crackers in a while, and this would definitely kick it up
These are such fun snacks! Love the flavors! These would be gone in a flash at our house!
I remember eating these as a kid! We liked to put them in our tomato soup. Brings back memories!
Perfect. My boys love oyster crackers. This might help us cut down on our potato chip addiction.
These oyster crackers most definitely look way more delicious and flavorful than the average!!
How herby, buttery and delicious!
Mmm! We make ones that are similar to these and I am pretty sure they have a life of like 1 day because they are SO good! I love the garlic and cheese…can never go wrong with those!